title: Neuroprotective effect of curcumin on spinal cord in rabbit model with ischemia/reperfusion.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ischemic/reperfusion (I/R) injury of the spinal cord is a serious complication that can result from thoracoabdominal aortic surgery.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the neuroprotective effect of curcumin against I/R injury in a rabbit model.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 36 rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: sham, I/R, and curcumin-treated group. Rabbits were subject to 30-min aortic occlusion to induce transient spinal cord ischemia. Neurological function was observed after reperfusion and spinal cord segment (L3-L5) was collected for histopathological evaluation. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and total superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were also assayed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Rabbits in I/R group were induced to paraplegia. While after 48-hour treatment, compared with I/R group, curcumin significantly improved neurological function, reduced cell apoptosis and MDA levels as well as increased SOD activity (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that curcumin, at least in an animal model, can attenuate transient spinal cord ischemic injury potentially via reducing oxidative damage, which may provide a novel approach in the treatment of spinal cord ischemic injury.
authors.affiliation: Jining Medical College, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Zhi-Qiang
authors.initials: ZQ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Shan-Shan
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Xing
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D003474:Curcumin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D008297:Male; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011817:Rabbits; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000187:drug effects*; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D020760:Spinal Cord Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D003474:Curcumin